Valerian [Valeriana officinalis]

The perennial valerian is a medicinal plant that has been known since ancient times and has calming properties and is used as a natural pain-relieving sleeping aid and nerve-calming relaxant. It attracts many insects such as beetles, butterflies and hoverflies to the garden. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the flowers and leaves.

 Description 
Valerian is a very old perennial medicinal plant that has been known in Europe since the 4th century. The medicinal herb has calming ingredients and is used as a natural pain-relieving sleeping aid and nerve-calming relaxant. Valerian is an easy-care marsh and wet meadow plant and is therefore used to changing conditions of wet and dry. The leaves are used in ointments or prepared in the form of a tea. The plant attracts many insects such as beetles, butterflies and hoverflies to the garden. Valerian grows throughout Europe, especially on moorland meadows and on river and stream banks.

 General information 
Plant family: Valerianaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 200 days
Plant height approx.: 150 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -20°C
Location: Semi shady
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich clayey loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-25 °C
Germination time: 10-20 days
Plant and row spacing: 40x50 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Dill, Pea, Potato, Cabbage
Unfavorable mixed culture: Lamb's lettuce, Wormwood

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing from March to May or in autumn from September to October. The ideal location for the plants is sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from May to June is recommended. The plants should ideally be planted in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. Direct sowing should be treated with particular care as it may dry out or be carried away by small animals such as ants. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Valerian prefers a permeable, moderately nutrient-rich, moist, humus-rich and clayey loamy soil. As a typical marsh and wet meadow plant, it tolerates waterlogging well.

 Additional tips 
Seedlings need to be watered regularly, after which larger plants can be left drier. Soils can also be flooded at times, the species is used to changing wet conditions and can also cope with drier soils in the garden. Tends to self-seed heavily. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
No care or fertilization necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Valeriana officinalis
English names: Valerian
German names: Echter Baldrian, Baldrian, Katzenkraut, Arzneibaldrian, Großer Baldrian
Portuguese names: Valeriana
Spanish names: Valeriana
French names: Valériane

 Origin 
Country: Portugal